Jill Martin of the Today show has been given a breast cancer diagnosis, just one week after testing positive for the BRCA gene, which is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer.
Martin, 47, exclusively tells PEOPLE, “I am in shock, but at the same time I’m so grateful because it could be a very different story that we’re talking about. Of course I’m devastated. You immediately assume the worst when you hear the C-word. But after hearing the message and taking it in, you must become your own best friend. Additionally, having a platform to tell my story has given me courage because I believe that, as I recover, I will be able to genuinely save lives. And if I can prevent this from taking one life, then I will consider this process to have been worthwhile. “.
Because her most recent mammogram was negative, Martin is particularly shocked by the news. She exclaims, “My mammogram in January was flawless!”.
Martin, however, requested an at-home genetic test after a doctor suggested it to her during a series of follow-up visits after fibroid surgery.
She explains, “I spit into this tube, mailed it in, and honestly I forgot about it. Three weeks later I got a call saying, ‘You tested positive.'”.
Martin made the challenging choice to have a bilateral preventive mastectomy. “I immediately switched into producer mode—that’s the only mode I’m familiar with. Doctors’ names were given to me. I made the arrangements,” she claims. It’s not going to be the summer we anticipated, but thank goodness we caught it, I told my husband. In fact, I felt fortunate. “.
She had breast cancer, which was discovered during a routine preoperative MRI, but less than a week later Martin discovered that the situation was more serious.
Martin explains, “I went in and I remember she said it’s cancer and I remember asking, ‘Is it treatable?’ and she said, ‘Yes, yes, you’re going to be okay.'”. “I’m not saying I don’t break down in tears occasionally, but I still felt—still feel lucky. “.
Martin broke the news in an essay posted on Today.com and on the Today show on Monday morning. In order to have a bilateral mastectomy and start new treatment, she will take a leave of absence starting right away.
Martin says, “I really would prefer not to have to have chemotherapy, but if that is something I have to deal with, I’ll deal with it.
The unknown is the frightening aspect of this.
The most terrifying part of surgery, in my opinion, is not knowing whether you’ll need chemotherapy or radiation therapy afterward. When I am aware of a project or a task to be completed, I perform better. “.
According to Martin’s surgeon, Dr. Elisa Port of NY’s Mount Sinai Hospital, “in the last 10 years there has been a huge amount of progress in figuring out where we can dial down the more aggressive treatments and still get the same amazing results.”.
“One-size-fits-all medical care is obsolete today.
Treatment customization and tailoring have advanced significantly.
The medical practice is precise.
“.
Martin intends to have a hysterectomy as a preventative procedure after the mastectomy. She continues, “I’ll have to have a hysterectomy in late October or somewhere around then in the fall, and then they do the second half of the reconstruction then. I’m fighting my emotions by finding purpose and giving myself space to have many feelings.
Martin says, “I guess I’m allowed to be all different things at once, they’re not exclusive of one another.”. “I’m allowed to feel happy, grateful, lucky, scared, angry, and angry. You are free to combine all of those identities. “.
“There are always two options available to you. I could either stay in bed and sob, and trust me, there are times when I wake up in the morning remembering what’s happening and feeling that way. However, being able to shout this from the rooftops and having platforms like PEOPLE and the Today show gives me peace. My main priorities are making sure my family is doing well, ensuring that I have everything in order, which I do, and encouraging people to get tested. ‘”.
